In 140 words or less, tell us a little about you.

Well…I live in Missouri with my teenage daughter. Downtime will usually find me reading, writing, or a combination of both, and surfing the web. I drink entirely too much Coca-Cola and I’m a rerun junkie. I love watching Law & Order: SVU marathons, and Roseanne and Golden Girls reruns. I make a mean meatloaf and my pot roast has been known to make somebody want to slap their mama.

In 140 words or less, tell us why your book would make a great addition to our personal library.

Where There’s Smoke 2 would make a great addition to your personal library because it’s, among other things, an engaging story. Readers who met the characters in the first installment (Where There’s Smoke: JAN 2009) will get to see what everyone’s been up to and how it all worked out, and readers who are new to the characters will meet some very relatable people between the sheets. Also, the story touches on many prevalent issues in the African-American community, such as parent-child and sibling relationships; substance abuse and recovery; peer pressure; and healthy adult interactions. There’s something for everyone.

What’s the main message you want readers to take away from Where There’s Smoke 2?

That people can and do change everyday. Also, that people in glass houses probably shouldn’t throw stones. Oh and maybe a few laughs. It’s a continuation of the story its predecessor told, so I mostly just want to give readers a chance to catch up with the characters they enjoyed getting to know and see how it all worked out.

What is your most surprising talent or interest – the one that makes people say “I didn’t know you (did/liked/knew)…”? People are always surprised to learn that I know God on a very deep and personal level. I’m not all that into organized religion and people assume that, just because I’m not in church every Sunday morning and have a tendency to tell it like it is, I’m not spiritual. There’s always a jaw-dropping moment or two when they discover differently and it’s always fun to watch. Idiots. Ooops! Sorry. Thinking out loud again.

You have just been hired to clean your own home, what is your first complaint? That I don’t like the job and have no one to submit a timely resignation letter to.

If you had a shrinking device, what’s the one thing in your house you’d miniaturize first? My 18-year-old daughter. She was much easier to control when I could pick her up and put her wherever I wanted her to be.

What’s one song that people would be surprised to know is on your IPod (or in your music collection)? Our Lips Are Sealed by the Go-Go’s

Is there a song that brings tears to your eyes every time you hear it? If so, which one? Hallelujah Anyhow by Thomas A. Whitfield

You’ve got no electricity, no Internet, no phone, and no car for two whole days. What do you do with yourself? Read by candlelight. If and when that gets old (doubtful), walk to someplace that does have electricity, Internet, a car available, and phone service, so I can plug in my laptop. Afterward, I can catch a ride back home.

Name five things that make your world go round. Books. Coca-Cola. My pillow-top mattress. Fuzzy socks. Days off work.

Is there anything else you would like to share with readers? Um…I don’t think so. I’m pretty chill-chill, you know?

Thanks Terra for taking time out of your busy schedule to spent a few moments with APOOO.

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